Babergh

Babergh's population grew in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population reached nearly 88,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Babergh increased by 5.1%, from just under 83,500 to 87,700.

The addition of almost 4,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Babergh was home to, on average, 1.1 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Babergh

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Babergh increased by three years, from 42 to 45 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than Eastof England and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just under 3,900 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 2,000.

About 14% of people in Babergh are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Babergh by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Babergh

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership increased in Babergh, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in Eastof England, except St Albans and Maldon.

Every local authority area across Eastof England saw a rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional average grew from 27% to 31%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Ethnicity in Babergh

The number of people in Babergh from the White ethnic groups increased from just over 82,000 in 2001 to just under 86,000 in 2011. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 99% to 98%.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Babergh from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 480 in 2001 to about 830 in 2011 (from 0.6% to 0.9%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just under 340 to just under 670 (from 0.4% to 0.8%).

Just over 260 people (0.2%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 160 in 2001 (0.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Babergh remained close to 98%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Babergh by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Babergh

The percentage of Babergh residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.7% to 7.8% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The proportion who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 2.7%, while the percentage of Babergh residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of Eastof England (from 6.9% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Babergh, but at a slower rate than in nearby Ipswich.

In Babergh, the proportion of private renting increased from 7.9% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Babergh remained close to 13%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 76% to 72%.

Private renting in Babergh increased by 4.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Babergh, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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